Think Big Awards $385,000 in Scholarships to 110 Students

As we wrap up the 2024-25 academic year, we’re excited to share that Think Big is awarding $385,000 in scholarships to 110 graduating seniors! These scholarships provide opportunities for deserving students to attend technical or trade school, community college, or a four-year university in pursuit of their chosen career path.

Think Big has now awarded more than $1 million in scholarships to over 250 students since starting the program with one recipient in 2020. Your generosity and shared passion are making a life-changing impact on our kids!

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Tampa Bay Scholarship Highlights

With over 500 applications, Think Big has awarded 97 scholarships to high school seniors representing 34 high schools throughout Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. To earn a scholarship, students must first write an essay and then be interviewed by Think Big’s selection committee, which included 20 volunteers. Our thanks to the Hillsborough Education Foundation and the Pinellas Education Foundation for their partnership in promoting and administering the scholarships.

Scholarship Celebration Highlights

Think Big’s scholarship event was held on May 10th at the Marshall Center on the campus of the University of South Florida. More than 250 scholarship recipients, their families and friends of Think Big enjoyed an afternoon of celebration. Phylice Dupoux, one of Think Big’s first volunteers and now a mentor, served as the afternoon’s emcee. The crowd also enjoyed a special performance of “Rise Up” by vocalist Elayna and dancer Jocelyn representing the Arts Conservatory for Teens. A special thank you to Seacoast Bank for their generous sponsorship of the event!

As part of the celebration, prior Think Big scholarship recipients shared their powerful stories, insights and advice for the graduating class:

Dalila Shanchez (Class of 2022)
• Recipient, 2022 Think Big Expect More Scholarship
• Senior at Florida Atlantic University
• Majoring in International Business
• Summer internship at Appspace (2024, 2025)
• In her words: “Every step of the way, Think Big has been there. They’ve stayed in touch, checked in, believed in me, and reminded me that asking for help is okay. They’ve taught me that even when opportunities feel scary or uncertain, they are there to help guide us in the right direction.”

Elian Tineo (Class of 2023)
• Recipient, 2023 SME Technical Trades Scholarship
• Recipient, 2024 Think Big Expect More Scholarship
• Graduate, EMT & Firefighting Academies at Hillsborough Community College
• Firefighter, City of St. Petersburg
• Two-year mentorship with Think Big volunteer, Randy Norris
• In his words: “If I could leave you all with one piece of advice, it would be this: don’t sell yourself short. You are capable of achieving anything you set your mind to. Keep a positive attitude — even during the tough times — because if you push yourself and stay committed, success will follow.”

Founder and Chair Tony DiBenedetto also offered words of encouragement and wisdom to the graduates:

“Education changed my life. But to be clear — education is not just college. Education is the process of learning, of growing, of becoming better every single day. It’s learning a skill. It’s teaching yourself something new when no one is watching. It’s choosing to create the future you want, even when the odds are stacked against you.”

Greater Washington and New Jersey Regions to Award Scholarships

Think Big’s scholarship program is expanding, along with its impact, to several high school seniors in the Greater Washington and New Jersey regions.

• The New Jersey region is awarding 10 scholarships for this academic year, following its launch of the program during the 2023-24 academic year in which three scholarships were awarded.
• The Greater Washington region is officially launching its program this academic year with two scholarships awarded.

We look forward to sharing more scholarship highlights from our regions!